In a short story I am working on I am using the term re-educate in reference to a government type office. But both forms are technically correct accourding to the dictionary and the spell checker. But which one would be the more appropriate form to use?
I have no bias one way or the other just want the more accepted one.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
A good tool I've found for this sort of decision is Google. It's not perfect, but it can give you a sense for what is more common.
"re-educate" found about 27,500 results. "reeducate" found about 8620 results.
As it happens, I agree with Google because I think "re-educate" is better, because it is clearer.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
Makes sense, and I was leaning that way but figured I could get someone who knew to explain it. Possibly find out why, which would be good for future words that fall into the same catagory.
Posted by mags (Member # 1570) on :
I checked with Marriam Webster (copyright 1995), and there is it "reeducate" -- just a point of reference.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
If the word were more commonly used, I probably be used to the "reeducate" spelling. But it just looks wierd to me.
Of course, others may reel off reasons why I should reevaluate. Instead of clinging to the slender reed of my own prejudices, perhaps I should reengage my brain. Rather than founder on the reef of stubbornness, maybe I need to reexamine the subject before I reenter this conversation.
[This message has been edited by EricJamesStone (edited July 23, 2003).]
Posted by Doc Brown (Member # 1118) on :
If the story takes place in a culture where this is common, they may have shortened it to "reducate." A generation later they might just call it "red."
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
I think I'm sold on re-educate. And since its a short story I'm going to leave it there. I like the idea of it changing to something shorter, but I am not sure it would fit the story as well.
So thanks for all of your ideas and opinions. Have to get it finished before next week.
Posted by Narvi (Member # 1376) on :
Well, for a government type office, through site:gov into the google search, and re-educate wins 365 to 173. A clear margin, but suggestive that the government doesn't have a standard.
Posted by mags (Member # 1570) on :
I have gotten to a point where I don't trust google searches for spelling, since often I can get hits with my wonderful sense of misspelling words.
